Double expansion rectangular forming horn

ABSTRACT

A rectangular forming horn for forming substantially rectangular can bodies includes a pair of diagonally opposite corners which are movable between a collapsed position and an expanded position. Expanding the diagonally opposite corners of the forming horn produces substantially rectangular can bodies with uniform corner radii and parallel sides.

Q United States Patent 1191 1111 3,734,042

Heniser et al. [4 1 May 22, 1973 541 DOUBLE EXPANSION RECTANGULAR 1,959,369 5 1934 Kronquest et a1. ..113 10 FORMING HORN 3,254,521 6/1966 1,807,843 6/1931 [75] Inventors: Eugene W. Heniser; Bernard K. 923,740 6 1909 Hook, both of Hastings, Mich. 679,772 3/1901 2,337,901 12/1943 Krueger ..l13/7 R [73] Assigneez Gulf & Western Industrial Products Company Grand Rapids Mlch' Primary Examiner-Charles W. Lanham [22] Filed: May 24, 1971 Assistant ExaminerM. J. Keenan 1 pp NOJ 146,315 Attorney-Meyer, Tllberry and Body [52] US. Cl ..1l3/8 [57] ABSTRACT [51] int. Cl. ..B2ld 51/26 A rectangular forming horn for forming substantially [58] Field of Search ..72/392, 393, 400; rectangular can bodies includes a pail. of diagonally 113/18 l 7 7 116 120 M1 opposite corners which are movable between a col- 120 K lapsed position and an expanded position. Expanding the diagonally opposite corners of the forming horn [56] References Cited produces substantially rectangular can bodies with uniform corner radii and parallel sides. UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 2,461,839 2/1949 Neutelings ..ll3/l20 M PATENIEora'srzws sum 1m 3 INVENTOR. GENE W. HENISER BY BERNARD K, HOOK 2 H v 8 I ATTORNEYS PAH-INTEL, MY??? 1975;,

SHEET 2 OF 3 INVENTOR. EUGENE W. HENISER BERNARD K. HOOK BY 7% 3 But,

ATTORNEYS PAIEminmzzms sum 3 or 3 INVENTOR. EUGENE W. HENISER BERNARD K. HOOK BY w, 7m, a 8d,

' ATTORNEYS DOUBLE EXPANSION RECTANGULAR FORMING HORN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application pertains to the art of forming flat metal blanks into hollow bodies and more particularly to forming such blanks into rectangular shapes. The invention is particularly applicable to formation of rectangular can bodies and will be described with particular reference thereto although it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be used to form other articles than can bodies, such as conduits or the like.

In a known procedure for manufacturing rectangular can bodies, flat metal blanks are delivered to a forming horn assembly. The metal blanks already have hooks formed along their opposite edges when delivered to the forming horn assembly. The forming horn assembly is rectangular, and the metal blank is securely clamped in place and then wraped around the rectangular forming horn assembly. The hooked edges are interlocked and hammered to form a side seam. 7

Conventional rectangular forming horn assemblies include one movable side or corner which is in a collapsed condition when the metal blank is wraped around the forming horn assembly assembly. The expandable side or corner is then moved to an outward position for securely locking the side seam and taking up any slack in the rectangular can body. Previous rectangular forming horn assemblies having a single expanding member at one side or corner often produced rectangular can bodies having unequal corner radii. In addition, a single expanding corner or side often made one side of the rectangular can body longer than an opposite side, and the sides were sometimes convex. Such deformities in the rectangular can body create problems when applying ends to the can body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A rectangular forming horn assembly of the type described includes a pair of diagonally opposite fixed corners and a pair of diagonally opposite movable corners. The fixed corners lie on the periphery of a rectangle. The movable corners are movable between a collapsed position lying inwardly of the rectangle and an expanded position lying on the periphery of the rectangle.

In using the device, a flat metal blank having hooks formed on its opposite edges is clamped to the forming horn and wraped therearound to interlock the hooked edges. The interlocked hooked edges are then hammered to form a side seam. The diagonally opposite movable corners are then moved to their expanded position to equalize stresses in the can body and make the corner radii uniform. Expansion of the diagonally opposite movable corners also produces rectangular can bodies having sides which are parallel.

In accordance with one arrangement, the forming horn assembly includes a main horn member and the diagonally opposite movable corners are on movable members which are movably mounted on the main horn member. Actuating means is provided for moving the movable members to move the movable corners between their collapsed and expanded positions. In a preferred arrangement, the actuating means includes an elongated rod reciprocatingly mounted on the main horn member. Cooperating cam and cam follower means on the elongated rod and on the movable members cooperate with one another for moving the movable members to position the movable corners in their expanded position during reciprocating movement of the elongated rod in one direction.

In accordance with another aspect of the device, the actuating means includes resilient biasing means normally biasing the movable members in a direction to position the movable corners in their collapsed position. In a preferred arrangement, lateral bores are formed in the main horn member and the resilient biasing means comprises tension springs extending through the lateral bores. The springs have one end connected with the main horn member and an opposite end connected to the movable members.

In one arrangement, the movable members are pivotally mounted on the main horn member for pivotal swinging movement of the movable corners between their collapsed and expanded positions. The movable members are moved inward to position the movable corners in their collapsed position prior to removal of a formed rectangular can body from the rectangular forming horn assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view of the improved forming horn assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view looking in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 55 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a substantially rectangular forming horn assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. Forming horn assembly A includes a relatively flat rectangular mounting member B for securing forming horn assembly A to a forming machine as by bolts 12 in a known manner. Forming horn assembly A further includes an elongated main forming horn member C extending outwardly from mounting member 8. Main horn member C has a somewhat irregular cross-sectional shape which may be termed generally rectangular, and all other elements of the forming horn assembly are attached to main horn member C.

Main horn member C has diagonally opposite longitudinally extending grooves 14 and 16 formed therein for receiving forming horn inserts 18 and 20. Inserts 18 and 20 have suitable holes therethrough for receiving,

bolts 22 which thread into suitable threaded bores in main horn member C to hold inserts 18 and 20 firmly in position. Insert 18 has an elongated groove 24 therein for receiving an elongated replaceable extractor bar 26. insert 20 has an elongated groove 28 formed therein for receiving a replaceable elongated spline steel 30. 1

In one arrangement, opposite sides of main horn member C are provided with spaced-apart recesses 34 and 36, and 38 and 40. Recesses 34, 36, 38 and 40 extend through opposite sides of main horn member C to intersect a centrally located longitudinal bore 42 formed through main horn member C. Main horn member C has bosses 44, 46 and 48 separating recesses 34 and 36. It will be recognized that the opposite side of main horn member C is similarly formed with corresponding bosses adjacent recesses 38 and 40. Bosses 44 and 48 are formed with longitudinal holes 50 and 52 extending therethrough, while boss 46 is formed with bores 54 and 56 which do not extend completely therethrough. Hole 50 and bore 54 receive a hinge pin 60 which spans recess 34. Hole 52 and bore 56 also receive a hinge pin 60 which spans recess 36. It will be recognized that the opposite side of main horn member C is correspondingly provided with hinge pins as at 60 in the same manner. Sleeve bearings may be positioned within holes 50 and 52, and bores 54 and 56, for rotatably supporting hinge pins 60.

In accordance with one arrangement, a pair of substantially identical expanding cheeks defined by movable members D are movably mounted on main horn member C. Movable members D have spaced-apart tongues as at 64 and 66 which are receivable in spacedapart recesses 34 and 36, and 38 and 40. Tongues 64 and 66 have axially extending grooves 70 formed on their inner surfaces for receiving hinge pins 60 at a flatened area 72 of pins 60. Flatened areas 72 of pins 60 extend across recesses 34, 36, 38 and 40. Tongues 64 and 66 on movable members D are provided with suitable holes through which bolts 76 extend and thread into suitable threaded bores formed in shafts 60. With the arrangement described, it will be recognized that movable members D are pivotable with hinge pins 60 toward and away from main horn member C.

In the area of recesses 34, 36, 38 and 40, movable members D are formed with additional grooves 80 on the inner surfaces thereof for receiving substantially U- shaped brackets 82. Screws 84 extend through suitable holes in movable members D and thread into threaded bores in brackets 82 for securely holding brackets 82 to movable members D. Each bracket 82 includes a pair of spaced-apart legs 86 on which a pin 88 is mounted for holding a cam follower in the form of a rotatable roller 90 between legs 86.

In one arrangement, centrally located longitudinal bore 42 in main horn member C is provided with sleeve bearings 96 for reciprocatingly receiving an elongated cam rod 98. In the areas of recesses 34, 36, 38 and 40, elongated cam rod 98 is formed with oppositely facing cam surfaces 102. Longitudinal movement of rod 98 in the direction of arrow 104 causes oppositely facing cam surfaces 102 to engage rollers 90 and pivot movable members D in opposite directions away from main horn member C. Longitudinal movement of rod 98 in a direction opposite to arrow 104 will allow rollers 90 to ride back down cam surfaces 102 so that movable members D will tightly hug main horn member C as shown in FIG. 4.

In a preferred arrangement, resilient biasing means is provided for normally biasing movable members D to their collapsed position shown in FIG. 4. In an area centrally located between recesses 34 and 36, and 38 and 40, main horn member C is provided with a pair of spaced-apart holes 106 and 108. One movable member D is provided with a hole 110 aligned with hole 106, while the other movable member D is provided with a hole 112 aligned with hole 108. As best shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface of main horn member C is recessed as at 116 on opposite sides of hole 108 for receiving pin 118. With reference to FIG. 4, the outer surface of main horn member C is also recessed as at 120 on opposite sides of hole 106 for receiving pin 122. Hole 1 10 in one movable member D is also provided with recesses 124 on opposite sides thereof for receiving pin 126. Recesses 128 are provided on opposite sides of hole 1 12 in other movable member D for receiving pin 130. A coiled tension spring 134 extends through hole 106 in main horn member C. One end 136 of spring 134 is hooked around pin 122 to connect spring 134 to main horn member C. Opposite end 138 of spring 134 is hooked around pin 126 to connect spring 134 to one movable member D. Another tension spring 142 extends through hole 108 in main horn member C and has one end 144 hooked around pin 118 to connect spring 142 to main horn member C. Opposite end 146 of spring 142 is hooked around pin to connect spring 142 to movable member D.

Insert members 18 and 20 have curved outer surfaces 152 and 154 which define diagonally opposite fixed corners of forming horn assembly A. Movable members D have curved edges 156 and 158 which define diagonally opposite movable corners for forming horn assembly A.

Main horn member C has one side surface 160 which slopes from a point adjacent central longitudinal bore 42 toward groove 14. Opposite side 162 of main horn member C slopes in a direction from a point adjacent central longitudinal bore 42 toward groove 16. Tension springs 134 and 142 normally bias movable members D toward main horn member C and into engagement with opposite side surfaces 160 and 162 thereof.

In the position of FIG. 4, it will be recognized that diagonally opposite curved fixed corners 152 and 154 may be consideredas lying on the periphery of a rectangle or as being tangent to a rectangle. Diagonally opposite movable corners 156 and 158 are positioned inwardly of that same rectangle or are not tangent to the periphery of that rectangle in the collapsed position of movable members D.

In operation of the device, a flat metal blank E is delivered to a forming machine adjacent forming horn assembly A. Flat metal blank E has hooked opposite edges and 172. Blank E is clamped against forming horn assembly A by a clamp member 174 which engages blank E in the area of wear member 26 carried by insert 18. In a conventional manner, forming wings then contact blank E to wrap it around forming horn assembly A and interlock hooked edges 170 and 172. These operations take place when movable members D are in their collapsed position as shown in FIG. 4.

A reciprocating hammer member 176 having a hammer nose 178 then reciprocates toward forming horn assembly A to contact interlocked edges 170 and 172 of blank E in the area of wear member 30 carried by insert 20 to hammer interlocked edges 170 and 172 together and form a side seam on blank E. Cam blank E will then be around forming horn assembly A substantially in the manner shown in FIG. 4, with the sides of blank E somewhat convex.

Longitudinal cam rod 98 is next moved longitudinally in the direction of arrow 104 to engage opposite cam surfaces 102 with rollers 90 and pivot movable members D outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5. Diagonally opposite movable corners 156 and 158 are then in their expanded position located outwardly away from main horn member C. This movement of movable members D relieves stresses in blank E and forms blank E into a substantially true rectangular configuration with parallel opposite sides and smoothly curved corner radii. Diagonally opposite movable corners 156 and 158 are tangent to the periphery of a common rectangle with diagonally opposite fixed curved corners 152 and 154 when movable members D are moved to their expanded position shown in FIG. 5.

Elongated cam rod 98 is next moved in a direction opposite to the direction of arrow 104 so that springs 134 and 142 will again pull movable members D toward main horn member C to move diagonally opposite movable corners 156 and 158 to their collapsed position. The formed rectangular blank may then be removed from forming horn assembly A. While the rectangular shape of the forming horn shown does not have equal sides, it will be recognized that the special case of a rectangle in the form of a square may also be used.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present application includes all such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

I. A substantially rectangular forming horn for forming substantially rectangular can bodies comprising; a main horn member having a pair of diagonally opposite fixed corners and a pair of diagonally opposite movable corners, said fixed corners lying on the periphery of a rectangle, said movable corners being movable between a collapsed position lying inwardly of said rectangle and an expanded position lying on the periphery of said rectangle, said main horn member having a longitudinal axis, said main horn member and all of said corners being fixed against movement relative to one another in directions parallel to said longitudinal axis.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said movable corners are on movable members movably mounted on said main horn member, and actuating means for moving said movable members to move said movable corners between said collapsed and expanded positions.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes resilient biasing means normally biasing said movable members in a direction to position said movable corners in said collapsed position.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said actuating means further includes elongated rod means reciprocatingly mounted on said main horn member, and cooperating cam and cam follower means on said rod means and on said movable members for moving said movable members to position said movable corners in said expanded position during reciprocating movement of said rod means in one direction.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said movable members are pivotally mounted on said main horn member.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises tension springs and said main horn member has lateral bores therethrough, said springs extending through said bores, said springs having one end connected to said main horn member and opposite ends connected to said movable members.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes elongated rod means reciprocatingly mounted on said main horn member, and cooperating cam and cam follower means on said rod means and on said movable members for moving said movable members during reciprocation of said rod means.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said movable corners are on movable members pivotally mounted on said main horn member for pivotal movement about axes extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 

1. A substantially rectangular forming horn for forming substantially rectangular can bodies comprising; a main horn member having a pair of diagonally opposite fixed corners and a pair of diagonally opposite movable corners, said fixed corners lying on the periphery of a rectangle, said movable corners being movable between a collapsed position lying inwardly of said rectangle and an expanded position lying on the periphery of said rectangle, said main horn member having a longitudinal axis, said main horn member and all of said corners being fixed against movement relative to one another in directions parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said movable corners are on movable members movably mounted on said main horn member, and actuating means for moving said movable members to move said movable corners between said collapsed and expanded positions.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes resilient biasing means normally biasing said movable members in a direction to position said movable corners in said collapsed position.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein said actuating means further includes elongated rod means reciprocatingly mounted on said main horn member, and cooperating cam and cam follower means on said rod means and on said movable members for moving said movable members to position said movable corners in said expanded position during reciprocating movement of said rod means in one direction.
 5. The device of claim 4 wherein said movable members are pivotally mounted on said main horn member.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein said resilient biasing means comprises tension springs and said main horn member has lateral bores therethrough, said springs extending through said bores, said springs having one end connected to said main horn member and opposite ends connected to said movable members.
 7. The device of claim 2 wherein said actuating means includes elongated rod means reciprocatingly mounted on said main horn member, and cooperating cam and cam follower means on said rod means and on said movable members for moving said movable members during reciprocation of said rod means.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein said movable corners are on movable members pivotally mounted on said main horn member for pivotal movement about axes extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis. 